Remember when they tried to remake it, with Jim Carrey? Not a pleasant memory. Well, this year, ABC got the rights to the original “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” with the marvelous Boris Karloff doing the vocal honors for the title character. The 1966 animated special takes viewers inside Whoville, the magical land of the Whos. But high above this holiday-loving town resides the Grinch, a hateful creature with a heart three sizes too small, who despises Christmas and plots to steal it from the Whos. Will a greedy Mayor Augustus Maywho or the seductive Martha May Whovier ruin his plans? Or will the loving little Cindy Lou Who be able to teach The Grinch the true meaning of Christmas? Don’t miss it. It won’t be during the real holiday season.

HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS

Tuesday, 8 p.m., ABC

Miss Mystic Falls

Caroline (Candice Accola) does her best to be there for Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Elena (Nina Dobrev) in a tough time. Damon (Ian Somerhalder) tries to convince Stefan to help him uncover Prof. Shane’s motives, but Stefan is intent on carrying out a different plan with Klaus (Joseph Morgan). At the annual Miss Mystic Falls Pageant, Elena and Caroline give April (guest star Grace Phipps) advice on which dress to wear, while Tyler (Michael Trevino) and Hayley (guest star Phoebe Tonkin) work together on a secret project, and Damon confronts Prof. Shane with his suspicions. Alarmed by the vivid nightmares he’s having, Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) turns to Matt (Zach Roerig) for help, but the situation escalates sooner than anyone expected. Olympic Gold Medalist Gabrielle Douglas also makes an appearance.

THE VAMPIRE DIARIES

Thursday, 8 p.m., The CW

Mom’s a Broadway diva

Alicia (Julianna Margulies) and Diane (Christine Baranski) let a famous liberal lawyer (Bruce McGill) aid them on their latest case, but they soon realize he may not have their client’s best interests in mind. Meanwhile, Alicia’s mother (Stockard Channing) arrives for Thanksgiving seeking moral and legal support from Alicia and her brother Owen (Dallas Roberts). Mary Beth Peil continues to steal scenes as Mama Florrick.

THE GOOD WIFE

Today, 9 p.m., CBS

Good-time ‘Charlie’

There’s only one Christmas special anyone really wants to see and it’s on this week. “A Charlie Brown Christmas” paved the way for our current glut of holiday programming. But everything that the “Peanuts” special does right — the charming storyline, the simple yet vivid animation and of course, the Vince Guaraldi soundtrack — is what so many followers did wrong. So, don’t wait for this 1965 gem to come on in December, when you’re really in the mood for some cheer. Watch the best Christmas special ever this week, while you’re eating Thanksgiving leftovers.

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS

Wednesday, 8 p,m. ABC

A ‘Downton’ pacifier

The third season of “Downton Abbey” can’t get here fast enough for the show’s restless American fans, who suffer pangs of withdrawal, knowing full well that the series has already aired to record ratings across the pond. In “Downton Abbey Revisited,” PBS tries to soothe audience anxiety by providing cast interviews, classy outtakes, some strong tea and a sneak peek at what’s in store for the Crawleys as they enter the Roaring ’20s. What will become of Bates? What new mischief will Thomas the footman and O’Brien, the scheming lady’s maid, instigate? Will wedding bells finally ring for Matthew and Lady Mary? And how will the Dowager Countess (Dame Maggie Smith) handle Lady Grantham’s American mother (Shirley MacLaine, below right)? What a weekend.

DOWNTON ABBEY REVISITED

Today, 8 p.m., PBS

Go ask Alice

Jane (Rachael Taylor) disappears without a trace, forcing a despondent Henry (Dave Annable) to worry for her safety and sanity. When she suddenly pops up in the middle of Times Square dazed and confused and is taken to a hospital for observation, Jane discovers that a horrible fate may be waiting for her there. Meanwhile, Gavin (Terry O’Quinn) has Victor Shaw (Nick Chinlund) held captive in The Drake’s boiler room with Kandinsky torturing him to give up the location of the red box. Shaw, however, shockingly reveals to Gavin his knowledge of what really happened to his daughter, Sasha, and threatens to tell Olivia (Vanessa Williams).